The Kansas Jayhawks took a major step forward in building their future on Wednesday, officially signing 16 of their 18 verbal commitments for the 2026 recruiting class on the opening day of the early signing period. This class marks a significant effort by Lance Leipold’s staff to strengthen the program’s in-state ties, with six homegrown prospects now officially headed to Lawrence.
Let’s start with the local haul. Linebacker Josh Galbreath (Lawrence), defensive end Hunter Higgins (Maize South), quarterback Jaylen Mason, wide receivers Tyren Parker (Shawnee Heights) and Nate Sims (Ottawa), and offensive lineman Kaden Snyder (Salina Central) all signed early, giving KU a solid foundation of Kansas talent.
That’s not just a win for optics-it’s a sign the Jayhawks are serious about keeping top-tier talent from leaving the state. For a program trying to build long-term success, that kind of local pipeline matters.
The class also includes a strong regional presence. Offensive lineman Malachi Mills and cornerback Robert Reddick, both from Indiana, were among the first to sign on the dotted line Wednesday morning.
They were quickly followed by running back Kory Amachree (Haslett, Michigan), wide receiver Corbin Glasco (Denton, Texas), offensive lineman Kaden Moody (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma), defensive end Draeden Punt (Orange City, Iowa), and linebacker Joseph Credit (Pearland, Texas). It’s a group that reflects KU’s growing reach across the Midwest and beyond.
Tight end coach Matt Lubick, in his first recruiting cycle with the Jayhawks, helped lock down two Kansas City-area tight ends in Jack Utz (Platte County) and Kevin Sullivan (Rockhurst) just before 8 a.m. That’s a position KU has been looking to bolster, and both Utz and Sullivan bring size, athleticism, and the kind of versatility that fits well in KU’s evolving offensive system. Not long after, defensive tackle Na’kwaine Carter out of Oklahoma City made it official, adding more size to the defensive front.
As of Wednesday morning, two names remained unsigned: cornerback Lennie “Trey” Brown, KU’s lone West Coast commitment from Sierra Canyon High School in California, and running back KD Jones from Jenks, Oklahoma-a player who’s been at the center of some late-cycle drama.
Jones, a well-regarded three-star prospect, originally committed to Oklahoma State back in March, with Kansas among his finalists. But after OSU parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy, Jones reopened his recruitment and committed to the Jayhawks on October 9. Since then, he’s remained publicly committed to KU, but the rumor mill has been spinning in recent days.
Reports surfaced that Jones had a positive phone call with new Oklahoma State head coach Chad Morris shortly after Morris was hired. Some outlets noted that Jones and his family are still very open to the idea of him staying in-state.
Adding to the intrigue, Jones’ father, Kejuan Jones-a former Oklahoma running back-posted on X Wednesday morning, saying, “Like I said from the jump wherever you decide I’m riding to the fullest.” That’s a supportive message, but it doesn’t exactly put the speculation to rest.
If Jones does end up flipping back to Oklahoma State, he’d join a list of recent late-cycle losses for KU, including defensive tackle Lucas Smalls-Allen (who signed with Wake Forest) and in-state defensive back JJ Dunnigan (who flipped to Miami). That’s the nature of recruiting in today’s college football landscape-fluid, fast-moving, and often unpredictable right up until the ink dries.
Still, even with those uncertainties, Kansas’ 2026 class currently sits at No. 49 nationally, according to both 247Sports and On3. That’s a respectable spot for a program still building its identity under Leipold, and it shows the staff’s ability to compete for talent across multiple regions.
The Jayhawks also added a key piece from the transfer portal: Jibriel Conde, who played the 2025 season at Grand Valley State. Conde had originally committed to Wisconsin before flipping to KU, giving the Jayhawks an experienced addition to their roster.
All in all, it’s a class that reflects Kansas’ continued climb. There’s a clear emphasis on local talent, a growing national footprint, and a willingness to battle for key recruits down to the wire. Whether it’s enough to take the next step in the Big 12 remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure-this staff is putting in the work to build something sustainable in Lawrence.